“I Need to Score to Change Perceptions”: South Sudan Blind Footballers Aim for 2028 Paralympics

Yona Sabri Ellon cannot see the ball at his feet, yet he moves with precision, guided by its faint rattle. He sidesteps defenders and fires confidently into the net. For the 22-year-old striker, every goal carries more than points – it carries hope, representation and a challenge to societal perceptions. Ellon is helping South Sudan’s blind football team, the “Bright Stars,” take a historic step toward competing at the 2028 Paralympics in California.

The team made its international debut this week at the inaugural men’s blind football tournament in Uganda. For Ellon, the experience is about more than football. “I need to score more to remove the negative perception of blind people in our country,” he told AFP after the match. Each strike on the pitch is a statement, challenging stereotypes and inspiring fellow South Sudanese with disabilities to believe in their potential.

Blind football is designed to level the playing field. The ball contains a bell that helps players track it by sound. Teams of five communicate constantly, using the Spanish word “voy,” meaning “I’m coming,” to signal their positions. This combination of auditory cues and teamwork allows players to navigate the field confidently, despite visual impairments.

The Bright Stars’ journey began just five years ago with only two players, under the guidance of sighted head coach Simon Madol Akol. From those humble beginnings, the team has grown in both skill and ambition, demonstrating that disability is no barrier to international sports achievement.

“There is so much potential within people with different types of disabilities that needs to be unlocked,” Coach Akol said. The team’s rapid progress highlights the importance of opportunity, training, and belief, proving that determination can overcome daunting challenges.

As South Sudan’s blind footballers continue their campaign, the dream of Paralympic representation fuels every training session and match. The Bright Stars are more than athletes – they are symbols of resilience, challenging society’s limits and inspiring a new generation to pursue excellence, regardless of physical barriers. Their story shows how sports can empower, unite and redefine what is possible.